But the door remains closed on Hales, dumped from the 15-man squad last month following a second positive test for recreational drugs.

Although captain Eoin Morgan refused to rule out a return for Hales, that was only because he has not spoken to chief selector Ed Smith.

Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss are both reluctant to talk publicly about selection issues before consulting Smith.

Morgan and senior players Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes were instrumental in Hales being kicked out because they felt his behaviour contravened the team mantra of "courage, unity and respect".

Morgan said Hales had shown a “complete disregard” for England’s dressing-room values.

He reported the players’ views to team supremo Ashley Giles, who then wielded the axe.

England would look ridiculous if they even contemplated the idea of bringing back Hales, even though he has an impressive record of six one-day international centuries in 70 matches.

Morgan admitted: “It’s not a conversation we’ve had with the chairman of the selectors.

"We’ve not considered replacing any players yet because I believe Jason will play again in the tournament.

"We’re giving him every chance to get fit because he is such an important player.

“If Ed Smith came to myself and Trevor Bayliss and said he felt Alex was the best option, we’d have to assess how that would sit in the changing-room and the stigma it would bring.”

Hales is not playing cricket at the moment and will not return for Notts until the T20 Blast begins next month. Later in the summer, he plays in the Caribbean Premier League.

England cricket fan takes huge blow to the head after failing to catch massive six at World Cup